Describes the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in elementary and secondary school classrooms to analyze neighborhoods, cities, and regions. Discusses GIS software, databases, graphing data, and spatial analysis, and includes an example of a project for secondary school students investigating the local economy for summer jobs. (LRW)

Describes teaching freshman composition and rhetoric via e-mail as a distance education course at Tomball Community College (Texas). Discusses student and instructor responsibilities, e-mail procedures, problems encountered (lack of time, and managing disk and mailbox space), and benefits (reduced paper use, typed corrections, accurate records,…

Investigates the benefits of using a single personal computer and a projection system to teach undergraduate statistics. Identifies the required hardware and software, as well as the educational objectives and methods. Maintains that this method allows for immediate assessment and feedback. (MJP)

Compares collaborative problem solving by learners sitting side-by-side with computer-mediated learning at a distance. Three aspects are studied: high school students' problem- solving strategies and interpretation of the teaching situation; their use of components of the situation; and the cognitive processes involved in understanding domain…

Describes an investigation into the use of the World Wide Web as a teaching tool in a computer studies methods course and a computer literacy course at two Australian universities. Student and teacher evaluations highlighted the positive outcomes resulting from student-centered, collaborative learning using the Web. (SM)

This study focused on two elementary schools and a high school in urban Connecticut to determine the number of teachers who had Internet access at home, and their proficiency and frequency of Internet use; levels of Internet access in the schools; integration of Internet into the curriculum; and possible future Internet use. Contains 6 tables.…

A study of 38 fifth-grade students investigated the effectiveness of two interactive multimedia instructional spelling programs, one offering behaviorist-visual learning options and the other offering cognitivist-phonological learning options. Both groups showed increased spelling ability, though neither program outperformed the other, suggesting…

Examines design and evaluation of computer-based role-playing. University students (n=41) were divided into two groups to use instructional programs with and without computer-based role-playing. Findings indicated that computer-based role-playing enhanced interpersonal skills development by employing a conversational model, offering opportunities…

Describes a study that examined the effectiveness of theory-based computer-assisted instruction for reading with incarcerated adults reading below the ninth-grade level. Results of pre- and post-tests showed a significant reading achievement gain for computer-assisted reading instruction compared to traditional instruction for the lowest Grade…

Discusses research on different types of computer-based learning environments that indirectly foster self-explanations, and discusses ways of leveraging new computer and video technologies to enhance these environments by representing problem situations and their concepts dynamically. Concludes by suggesting that these learning environments can…

Secondary students with learning disabilities, behavior disorders, and health impairments (n=16) learned a self-advocacy strategy via an Interactive Hypermedia Program (IHP) or through live instruction. After instruction, each student ran his own Individualized Education Program conference. The IHP was as effective in teaching the students the…

Examines the applicability of Kuhlthau's Information Search Process Model in the context of a virtual learning environment at the University of North Texas that used virtual collaborative software. Highlights include cognitive and affective aspects of information seeking; computer experience and confidence; and implications for future research.…

Specific difficulties for the secondary student with reading difficulties are described, followed by a literature review of most promising practices, including peer tutoring that incorporates comprehension strategy instruction and elaborative strategies in history and science classes. Research using "Inspiration" software to generate spatially…

This article describes teaching mathematics to students with disabilities using "My Math," a three-component software program consisting of "shells" into which students or teachers insert content. The three components include computation problems, arithmetic word problems, and arithmetic story problems. The content of the program is discussed,…

This article explores current state-of-the-art technologies available for reading, writing, and publishing, including electronic books (ebooks), electronic libraries, and electronic journals. Instructional design, best practices for improving reading skills using ebooks, and copyright issues are discussed. Vignettes offer a positive scenario for…